Davidson vs. Tennessee

Comparable Facts

Compare Davidson College in Davidson, NC with The University of Tennessee Knoxville in Knoxville, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The University of Tennessee Knoxville is larger than Davidson based on total student enrollment (38,728 students vs. 1,869 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Davidson College is located in Davidson, NC (Large Suburban setting); The University of Tennessee Knoxville is in Knoxville, TN (Midsize City setting).
• Davidson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Knoxville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Davidson College 8:1; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 18:1.

Davidson vs. Tennessee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Davidson or Tennessee? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at The University of Tennessee Knoxville than Davidson ($21,648 vs. $27,720).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Knoxville are 21.9% lower than at Davidson College ($13,356 vs. $17,100).
• Davidson College is 366.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tennessee (about $50,598 more per year; $64,410.00 vs. $13,812.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 93.7% higher at Davidson than at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (about $31,154 more per year; $64,410.00 vs. $33,256.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Tennessee Knoxville than at Davidson College (94% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Davidson College students is 352.6% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Knoxville students ($51,755 vs. $11,434).

Davidson vs. Tennessee Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Davidson or Tennessee? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Tennessee and Davidson.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Davidson College (1470) is 180 points higher than at Tennessee (1290).
• Incoming Davidson students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 28 at Tennessee).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Davidson College 1400/1530; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 1200/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Davidson College 31/34; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Davidson - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Tennessee - Required to be considered for admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Davidson Jan 7, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Davidson students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Tennessee (3.66).
• Tennessee has a higher acceptance rate (41.6%) than Davidson (13.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 47.9% at Davidson vs. 27.4% at Tennessee.

Davidson vs. Tennessee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Davidson and Tennessee? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Davidson College's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than The University of Tennessee Knoxville's (63%).
• Graduates from Davidson College earn a median of about $7,200 more per year than Tennessee graduates about ten years after starting college ($63,500 vs. $56,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Davidson College graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than Tennessee graduates ($17,000 vs. $20,000).
• Among borrowers, Davidson graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tennessee graduates ($175 vs. $206).
• More Davidson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tennessee students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 69%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.